Ex-midshipman denies sexually exploiting children

By Associated Press&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Sat 10:55 AM, Jan 25, 2014&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Sat 10:59 AM, Jan 25, 2014

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- A former Naval Academy midshipman accused of posing as a teen girl online to get other girls to send him sexually explicit photos has pleaded not guilty to several child exploitation charges.

The Daily Camera reports 22-year-old Bret Michael Butler entered his pleas in Boulder District Court on Friday and is scheduled to go to trial June 9.

Court records say police recovered more than 20 sexually graphic images of children on Butler's cellphone and computers, and he is accused of posing as a girl to communicate with other underage girls.

While out on $50,000 bond in the sexual exploitation case, Butler was arrested in Boulder County on Jan. 7 on DUI charges. He is scheduled to appear in court on those charges Feb. 10.